Photo Credit:Associated Press
Lil Nas X has revealed that he is suffering from partial facial paralysis after being hospitalized. The 26-year-old rapper, known for his hit “Old Town Road,” posted several videos on social media from a hospital bed, explaining his condition and assuring fans of his wellbeing.
In one video, he attempted to smile but only one side of his face responded. “This is me doing a full smile right now, by the way,” he said, adding, “Bro, I can’t even laugh right.” Despite the worrying situation, he maintained a light-hearted tone, jokingly panning the camera from one side of his face to the other, saying, “We normal over here, we get crazy over here.”
Wearing a hospital gown and a Von Dutch cap, Lil Nas X explained, “I lost control of the right side of my face.” He followed up the post with reassurances to his fans: “Guys I am OK!! Stop being sad for me! Shake ur a** for me instead! Imma look funny for a lil bit but that’s it.”
Fans and celebrities quickly flooded the comment sections with well wishes. Taraji P. Henson commented, “Get well baby,” while comedian Wanda Sykes noted, “Sometimes your body tells you to sit down somewhere. Rest up.”
The rapper did not disclose the cause of the condition, but many speculated it could be Bell’s Palsy or Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, both of which can cause temporary facial paralysis. Similar cases have been seen in other celebrities. Justin Bieber, for instance, paused his tour in 2022 after being diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid also experienced Bell’s Palsy in 2024.
Lil Nas X’s hospital visit came shortly after the release of his EP Days Before Dreamboy on March 28. In a recent interview with PEOPLE magazine, he expressed a desire to be more authentic in this new phase of his career. “I wanna be myself more than ever this era,” he said. “If I do not want to do it, I’m not doing it… If I don’t want be there, I’m not gonna be there.”
Speaking to Hot 107.9, he reflected on challenges earlier in the year, admitting, “I was very lost and trying to cater to everybody except myself.” He added, “Sometimes I can just be on my chill [side].”
Despite the health scare, Lil Nas X remains optimistic and humorous, determined to push through.